{{Short description|American politician (born 1969)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Brenda Thiam |image = Delegate Thiam's Birthday Bash (51441467126).jpg |state_delegate = Maryland |district = 2B |term_start = October 6, 2020 |term_end = January 11, 2023 |appointer = Larry Hogan |predecessor = Paul D. Corderman |successor = Brooke Grossman |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|9|9}} |birth_place = Raeford, North Carolina, U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = Democratic (before 2012)<br>Republican (since 2012) |spouse = Mam Thiam |children = 1 |education = North Carolina Central University (BS)<br>University of Maryland, College Park (MEd)<br>Capella University (PhD)<br>Pennsylvania State University (GradCert) |signature = Brenda Thiam signature.svg |website = {{URL|brendathiam.com|Official website}} }} '''Brenda Jeanette Thiam''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|tʃ|əm}} {{respell|cham}}; born September 9, 1969) is an American politician who was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 2B from 2020 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, she was the first African-American Republican woman to serve in the Maryland General Assembly. In 2024, she unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 6th congressional district, losing to former state delegate Neil Parrott in the Republican primary election.
On April 30, 2025, Thiam announced that she would run for lieutenant governor of Maryland in the 2026 Maryland gubernatorial election on a ticket with John Myrick.
==Early life and education== Brenda Jeanette Thiam<ref name="SpeakerBio">{{cite news |title=Women's Legislative Summit Speaker bios |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/women-who-lead/womens-legislative-summit/speaker-bios/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Daily Record}}</ref> was born and raised in Raeford, North Carolina on September 9, 1969.<ref name="msa" /> She was one of four children and was raised in a single-mother family after her father, a radio personality, filed for divorce and moved to Memphis, Tennessee.<ref name="History">{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Thiam makes history as Md.'s first Black woman GOP delegate |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2020/10/06/thiam-makes-history-as-md-s-first-black-woman-gop-delegate/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Daily Record |date=October 6, 2020}}</ref>
Thiam graduated from Hoke County High School in 1987, and later attended North Carolina Central University in 1994, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. She later attended the University of Maryland, College Park, earning a Master of Education degree in 2002; Capella University, where she earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in special-education leadership in 2015; and Pennsylvania State University, where she earned a graduate certificate in applied behavior management in 2017.<ref name="msa">{{Cite web |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/former/html/msa18273.html |title=Brenda J. Thiam, Maryland State Delegate |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |access-date=October 7, 2020 |date=October 7, 2020}}</ref>
==Career== ===Early career=== After graduating from North Carolina Central University, Thiam worked as a special-education teacher for Washington County Public Schools<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lammers |first1=Carlee |title=North High students learn to hear the 'voices' of autism |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2016/04/14/orth-high-students-learn-to-hear-the-voices-of-autism/45655827/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=April 13, 2016}}</ref> and for various nonprofits until 2019,<ref name="msa" /> While working for the Washington County Public Schools, she secured a $100,000 grant to support the ongoing education of teachers for students with intellectual disabilities.<ref name="VeryExcited" /> Thiam lost her job just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,<ref name="LegalWoes" /> after which she started her own nonprofit, Oasis Community Support Services Inc., to support the needs of adults with autism.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thiam breaks barriers as she's sworn in to represent Washington County |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2020/10/06/thiam-breaks-barriers-as-shes-sworn-in-to-represent-washington-county/115810416/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=October 6, 2020}}</ref>
Thiam first got involved in politics as a member of student government in school.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Alexis |title=Discussion shows personal side of Hagerstown's female council candidates |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2020/09/09/discussion-shows-personal-side-of-hagerstowns-female-council-candidates/115831668/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=September 9, 2020}}</ref> She was a registered Democrat until 2012, when she switched to the Republican Party.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Waldman |first1=Tyler |title=Thiam, first Black Republican woman to serve as state delegate, 'excited' for new role |url=https://www.wbal.com/article/482476/3/thiam-first-black-republican-woman-to-serve-as-state-delegate-excited-for-new-role |access-date=October 8, 2020 |work=WBAL (AM) |date=October 7, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> From 2016 to 2018, she served as the vice president of the Washington County Republican Club.<ref name="msa" /> In 2016, she applied to fill a vacancy on the Washington County Board of Commissioners,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lovelace |first1=CJ |title=Wivell 'unofficially withdraws' from BOE race |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/politics/2016/03/01/wivell-unofficially-withdraws-from-boe-race/45627685/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=March 1, 2016}}</ref> which was filled by Wayne Keefer, a small-business owner.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lovelace |first1=CJ |title=Keefer's nomination to county commission goes to Md. Senate floor this week |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2016/03/22/keefers-nomination-to-county-commission-goes-to-md-senate-floor-this-week/45630645/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=March 22, 2016}}</ref> In 2020, Thiam successfully ran for the Hagerstown City Council, placing sixth in the nonpartisan primary.<ref name="2020primary">{{cite web |title=Official 2020 Presidential Primary Election results for Washington County |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/results/primary/gen_results_2020_3_by_county_22-1.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=September 28, 2020 |date=July 2, 2020}}</ref> Thiam later withdrew from the race after being appointed to the Maryland House of Delegates, but she remained on the ballot for the general election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nowell |first1=Joyce F. |title=Now appointed, Thiam anxious to get to work in Annapolis |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/local/now-appointed-thiam-anxious-to-get-to-work-in-annapolis/article_0ce7972d-fc38-584a-b5aa-690f011c2d4f.html |access-date=September 28, 2020 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=September 23, 2020 |location=Hagerstown, Maryland |language=en}}</ref>
===Maryland House of Delegates=== In September 2020, following the appointment of Paul D. Corderman to the Maryland Senate, Thiam applied to fill the vacancy left by his resignation in the Maryland House of Delegates.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Julie E. |title=Four Hagerstown council candidates apply for state delegate seat |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2020/09/11/four-hagerstown-council-candidates-apply-for-state-delegate-seat/115813104/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=September 10, 2020}}</ref> The Washington County Republican Central Committee nominated Thiam to fill the vacancy later that month,<ref name="VeryExcited">{{cite news |last1=Shea |first1=Tim |title=Thiam 'very excited' to be nominated to fill Md. House delegate seat |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/local/thiam-very-excited-to-be-nominated-to-fill-md-house-delegate-seat/article_b43e9b1e-4771-59ef-8338-51ea8453ed71.html |access-date=September 28, 2020 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=September 22, 2020 |location=Hagerstown, Maryland |language=en}}</ref> and she was appointed to the seat by Governor Larry Hogan on September 23, 2020.<ref name="appointment">{{cite press release |title=Governor Hogan Announces Appointment of Dr. Brenda J. Thiam to the Maryland House of Delegates |url=https://governor.maryland.gov/2020/09/23/governor-hogan-announces-appointment-of-dr-brenda-j-thiam-to-the-maryland-house-of-delegates/ |website=Official Website for the Governor of Maryland |access-date=September 28, 2020 |language=en |date=September 23, 2020}}</ref>
Thiam was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on October 6, 2020, where she served on the House Judiciary Committee<ref name="msa" /> and was a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Legislative Black Caucus Welcomes Republican Into the Fold |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/09/24/legislative-black-caucus-welcomes-republican-into-the-fold/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> She was the first black Republican woman to serve in the Maryland General Assembly<ref name="appointment" /> and the first black Republican to serve in the legislature in the nearly three decades since Aris T. Allen died in office in 1991.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=Legislative Black Caucus Welcomes Republican Into the Fold |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/blog/legislative-black-caucus-welcomes-republican-into-the-fold/ |access-date=September 28, 2020 |work=Maryland Matters |date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> In 2022, Thiam was appointed deputy minority whip.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baker |first1=Tamela |last2=Garcia |first2=Michael D. |title=Thiam appointed deputy minority whip; Washington County delegates talk liquor |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2022/01/17/political-notebook-jan-17-hagerstown-washington-county-maryland/6530510001/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=January 17, 2022}}</ref>
Thiam ran for election in 2022, seeking a full term in the Maryland House of Delegates. She won the Republican primary election on July 19, 2022,<ref>{{cite news |title=Live updates: Holsinger overtakes Albert for sheriff |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/07/19/maryland-election-day-2022-liveblog-democratic-republican-today/65373333007/ |access-date=November 12, 2022 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=July 19, 2022}}</ref> but was defeated by Democratic challenger Brooke Grossman in the general election on November 8.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Julie E. |title=Republican incumbent concedes Maryland House of Delegates seat after more ballots counted |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/11/11/democratic-challenger-brooke-grossman-wins-maryland-delegate-seat/69638661007/ |access-date=November 12, 2022 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=November 10, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaines |first1=Danielle E. |last2=Kurtz |first2=Josh |title=Counting continues: Democratic legislators in tight races and Rep. David Trone claim victory |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/11/11/counting-continues-democratic-legislators-in-tight-races-and-rep-david-trone-claim-victory/ |access-date=November 12, 2022 |work=Maryland Matters |date=November 11, 2022}}</ref> Following her defeat, Thiam called on the Republican Party to "embrace" mail-in voting if it hoped to win future elections.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Sasha |title=Maryland Republicans who lost midterms say party should prioritize mail-in voting |url=https://dbknews.com/2022/12/01/maryland-republicans-lost-primary-trump-mail-in-voting/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Diamondback |date=December 1, 2022}}</ref>
===2024 congressional campaign=== {{main|2024 Maryland's 6th congressional district election}} On June 20, 2023, Thiam filed to run for Congress in Maryland's 6th congressional district in 2024 to succeed David Trone.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fernandez |first1=Madison |title=How abortion is playing into Tuesday's elections in Virginia |url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-score/2023/06/20/how-abortion-is-playing-into-tuesdays-elections-in-virginia-00102595 |access-date=June 21, 2023 |work=Politico |date=June 20, 2023}}</ref> She announced her candidacy on July 25, 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bixby |first1=Ginny |last2=Peck |first2=Louis |title=Political Notes: New faces join race for 6th Congressional District |url=https://moco360.media/2023/07/25/political-notes-new-faces-join-race-for-6th-congressional-district/ |access-date=July 25, 2023 |work=MoCo360 |date=July 25, 2023}}</ref> During the Republican primary, she ran on a platform{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} including tackling the opioid epidemic and requiring recipients of disability benefits to undergo additional assessments to determine whether they're still eligible to continue receiving benefits.<ref>{{cite news |title=Republican congressional candidates weigh in on Western Maryland's top priorities. |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2024/04/02/republican-candidates-weigh-in-on-western-marylands-top-priorities/73143480007/ |access-date=April 13, 2024 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=April 2, 2024}}</ref> Thiam was defeated in the Republican primary election by former state delegate Neil Parrott on May 14, 2024, placing second-to-last with 3.3 percent of the vote.<ref name="ParrottPrimary">{{cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Katie |last2=Asbury |first2=Nicole |last3=Portnoy |first3=Jenna |title=April McClain Delaney to face Neil Parrott in Md. 6th District in Nov. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/05/14/maryland-primary-election-6th-district/ |access-date=May 15, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 14, 2024}}</ref>
===2026 lieutenant gubernatorial election=== {{main|2026 Maryland gubernatorial election}} On April 30, 2025, Thiam announced that she would run for lieutenant governor of Maryland in the 2026 Maryland gubernatorial election on a ticket with John Myrick. If elected, Thiam said that she would focus on "fixing education and returning it to teaching the students" by ridding school curricula of "all those strains of ideologies that we will not tolerate for our children". When asked to elaborate on "strains of ideologies", she pointed to students who identify as transgender and "books that are questionable on our bookshelves for students to check out and read".<ref name="Myrick">{{cite news |last1=Sears |first1=Bryan P. |title=Early GOP candidate for governor taps former delegate as running mate |url=https://marylandmatters.org/2025/05/01/early-gop-candidate-for-governor-taps-former-delegate-as-running-mate/ |access-date=May 1, 2025 |work=Maryland Matters |date=May 1, 2025}}</ref>
==Political positions== thumb|alt=Governor Larry Hogan and Brenda Thiam stand in front of an excavator with the banner "Groundbreaking Ceremony 2022"|Thiam with Governor Larry Hogan, 2022 During her run for Hagerstown city council, Thiam said she supported addressing the opioid epidemic and improving the city's bond credit rating, and opposed raising taxes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Alexis |title=10 candidates vying for 5 Hagerstown council seats |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/politics/2020/09/10/10-candidates-vying-for-5-hagerstown-council-seats/43661655/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=September 10, 2020}}</ref> Upon being appointed to the Maryland House of Delegates, she said that her legislative priorities included the opioid epidemic and the Blueprint for Maryland's Future,<ref name="VeryExcited" /> which she opposed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=Madeleine |title=Maryland House overrides Hogan's veto of Kirwan school funding bill |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2021/02/08/maryland-house-overrides-hogans-veto-of-kirwan-school-funding-bill/115748352/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> She also described herself as "pro-life", expressing interest in working with legislators to promote family planning options other than abortions,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nowell |first1=Joyce F. |title=Now appointed, Thiam anxious to get to work in Annapolis |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2020/09/23/now-appointed-thiam-anxious-to-get-to-work-in-annapolis/115812608/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> and said she opposed the "defund the police" movement.<ref name="History" /> Thiam supported the reelection campaign of President Donald Trump in the 2020 United States presidential election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Henry |first1=John |title=Meet Maryland's first Black female Republican state legislator |url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/maryland/first-black-female-gop-state-legislator-maryland-brenda-thiam/65-e9b4968d-2ec3-47c3-883e-8044587a83a2 |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=WUSA-TV |date=October 9, 2020}}</ref>
During the 2021 legislative session, Thiam introduced a bill that would require students to pass a civics test before they could graduate from high school, as well as the "Learning at Home Relief Act", which would provide a $250 per child tax credit toward costs associated with online school, such as child care and internet services. Both bills failed to move out of committee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shwe |first1=Elizabeth |title=Republican Delegates Offer Bills Pushing In-Person Learning |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/01/29/republican-delegates-offer-bills-pushing-in-person-learning/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=January 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Mike |title=Lawmakers discuss Washington County's gains from 2021 session |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2021/05/13/washington-county-delegation-cites-highlights-general-assembly/4969864001/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=May 13, 2021}}</ref> She also voted for the Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021, which repealed the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |last2=Kurtz |first2=Josh |title=General Assembly Passes Police Reform Package On to the Governor |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/04/08/general-assembly-passes-police-reform-package-on-to-the-governor/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 8, 2021}}</ref> and against the Plastic Bag Reduction Act, a bill to ban the sale of plastic bags and to require stores to charge a minimum of 10 cents for paper bags.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Julie E. |title=Republican leaders condemn as racist remarks directed at delegate |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2021/04/02/republican-leaders-condemn-as-racist-remarks-directed-at-delegate/43744599/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=April 2, 2021}}</ref> In February 2021, during debate on a bill to extend the earned-income tax credit to immigrants, Thiam introduced an amendment that required that benefits only go to "taxpayers of lawful status in the United States". The amendment was rejected by a 48-91 vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Leckrone |first1=Bennett |title=After Debate, House Approves Relief for Tax-Paying Immigrants |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2021/02/26/after-debate-house-approves-relief-for-tax-paying-immigrants/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=February 26, 2021}}</ref>
In October 2021, Thiam was one of five Maryland state legislators from Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties who sent a pair of letters to West Virginia officials asking about annexation of Western Maryland to West Virginia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Mike |title=Notion of moving Western Maryland to West Virginia 'a dead issue,' Wivell says |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2021/10/25/western-maryland-counties-west-virginia-dead-washington-county-wivell/6172662001/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=October 25, 2021}}</ref> The letters were later withdrawn by their authors, House Minority Leader Jason C. Buckel and state senator George C. Edwards, following criticism from local officials and some constituents.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Larry |first1=Greg |title=Western Maryland secession effort loses support |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/public/ap/western-maryland-secession-effort-loses-support/article_32269d9d-7bf2-508d-a31a-bbf821ca90e5.html |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=October 24, 2021}}</ref>
During the 2022 legislative session, Thiam introduced a bill to allow municipalities to establish Police Accountability Boards and another to prohibit dirt bike drivers from committing motor vehicle offenses; both bills died in committee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hogan |first1=Jack |title=Mayors content with county's Police Accountability Board, but they might want their own |url=https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/levels_of_government/municipal/mayor/mayors-content-with-countys-police-accountability-board-but-they-might-want-their-own/article_099412cd-03fa-5b91-80c1-1e149c330e15.html |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Frederick News-Post |date=April 27, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Michael D. |title=Washington County delegation touts monetary wins during annual post-legislative forum |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2022/05/09/washington-co-lawmakers-talk-wins-md-general-assembly-session/9633483002/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=May 9, 2022}}</ref> She also expressed concerns with proposals to legalize recreational marijuana in Maryland, questioning whether black Marylanders would be able to make money from the recreational market.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Pamela |title=Maryland lawmakers get first look at plan for full marijuana legalization |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-ga-marijuana-referendum-20220214-t64m2allrrd7rlpjp3w46ei7mu-story.html |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 14, 2022}}</ref> In March 2022, during debate on a bill creating a statewide ballot referendum on codifying the right to abortion access, Thiam introduced an amendment requiring the Maryland Department of Health to collect data regarding abortions performed in the state, including gestational age and number of abortions performed. The amendment was rejected by the Maryland House of Delegates by a 39-83 vote.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gaskill |first1=Hannah |title=After Republican Amendment Attempts, House Moves Forward with Abortion Access Bills |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/03/09/after-republican-amendment-attempts-house-moves-forward-with-abortion-access-bills/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=March 9, 2022}}</ref>
In January 2022, Thiam filed a lawsuit against the legislative district maps drawn by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2020 redistricting cycle, seeking to replace the newly passed map with one that uses only single-member districts.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Michael D. |title=Western Maryland, Eastern Shore delegates file petition against new legislative maps |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/2022/02/15/maryland-delegates-file-lawsuit-against-new-redistricting-maps-western-eastern/6785871001/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=February 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Stole |first1=Bryn |last2=Wood |first2=Pamela |title=Maryland Republican delegates ask state's highest court to throw out new General Assembly district map |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-redistricting-lawsuit-20220210-pkt5za5webeejbv36adkna3zci-story.html |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=February 10, 2022}}</ref> The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled 4-3 against the plaintiffs in April 2022, upholding the legislature's map.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stole |first1=Bryn |title=Maryland's highest court rejects legislative map challenge, clearing way for July 19 primary |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-legislative-map-appeals-court-20220413-tlrr3bgmofdnjmerxfjrpa777e-story.html |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Lash |first1=Steve |title=Just-released opinion reveals Md. high court approved redistricting by single vote |url=https://thedailyrecord.com/2022/09/01/just-released-opinion-reveals-md-high-court-approved-redistricting-by-single-vote/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Daily Record |date=September 1, 2022}}</ref>
In April 2022, following a spike in gas prices as the result of the Russo-Ukrainian War, Thiam supported Maryland's brief gas tax holiday, which she later made efforts to extend by an additional 45 days.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shwe |first1=Elizabeth |title=Republican Lawmakers Fail in Attempt to Extend Gas Tax Holiday |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/04/07/republican-lawmakers-fail-in-attempt-to-extend-gas-tax-holiday/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=April 7, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dance |first1=Scott |last2=Knezevich |first2=Alison |title=Maryland gas prices set to surge above $4 per gallon Sunday as monthlong tax holiday expires |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-gas-tax-holiday-ending-20220414-r2xabr2cwbam3l3cdwfivhfzqa-story.html |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 15, 2022}}</ref> She also introduced legislation to decouple the state's gas tax from inflation, which failed to pass out of committee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Julie E. |title=Maryland set to get break on gas tax, but for how long? |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2022/03/17/maryland-gas-prices-going-down-starting-thursday-fuel-tax/7065878001/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=March 17, 2022}}</ref>
In July 2022, Thiam said that she supported voter identification requirements, automatic voter registration, and increased purging of voter rolls.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hagerstown's delegate in Annapolis faces primary challengers from GOP, Democrats |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/07/06/four-vie-for-hagerstowns-house-of-delegates-seat-in-annapolis-maryland/65366458007/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=July 6, 2022}}</ref>
In 2023, Thiam testified in support of a bill to allow municipalities to enforce laws against driving dirt bikes on public roads.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weingarten |first1=Dwight A. |title=Dirt bikes on Maryland streets: Road toward solution from Annapolis filled with obstacles |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/state/2023/03/03/legislation-to-limit-dirt-bikes-atvs-on-md-public-roads-gets-hearing/69965196007/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=March 3, 2023}}</ref>
During her 2024 congressional campaign, Thiam said that she supported restarting construction on the Mexico–United States border wall and opposed mask and vaccine mandates imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kurtz |first1=Josh |title=GOP candidates bash Biden in first forum for Trone's congressional seat |url=https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/09/21/gop-candidates-bash-biden-in-first-forum-for-trones-congressional-seat/?emci=0426b723-7158-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&emdi=e8fa346f-7658-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&ceid=265525 |access-date=September 21, 2023 |work=Maryland Matters |date=September 21, 2023}}</ref> She also said that she disagreed with Judge Deborah Boardman's ruling against requiring the Montgomery County Public Schools system to provide parents with the ability to opt their students out of classroom instruction on LGBTQ topics,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bixby |first1=Ginny |title=Republican hopefuls for Maryland's Sixth Congressional District largely agree on national security, parental involvement in school curriculum |url=https://moco360.media/2023/09/21/republican-hopefuls-for-marylands-sixth-congressional-district-largely-agree-on-national-security-parental-involvement-in-school-curriculum/ |access-date=September 24, 2023 |work=MoCo360 |date=September 21, 2023}}</ref> and opposed removing Donald Trump from the 2024 presidential election ballot under the Fourteenth Amendment, saying that she did not believe that the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack was an insurrection. Thiam also expressed support for abolishing the U.S. Department of Education.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bixby |first1=Ginny |title=Race for GOP nomination heats up at Maryland 6th Congressional District forum |url=https://moco360.media/2024/02/19/race-for-gop-nomination-heats-up-at-maryland-6th-congressional-district-forum/ |access-date=February 19, 2024 |work=MoCo360 |date=February 19, 2024}}</ref>
In October 2023, amid the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and subsequent Gaza war, Thiam expressed support for Israel and its right to defend itself, as well as the expansion of the Abraham Accords and humanitarian efforts in Gaza;<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bixby |first1=Ginny |title=How do Maryland's Sixth Congressional District candidates think the Israel-Hamas crisis should be handled? |url=https://moco360.media/2023/10/31/how-do-marylands-sixth-congressional-district-candidates-think-the-israel-hamas-crisis-should-be-handled/ |access-date=November 1, 2023 |work=MoCo360 |date=October 31, 2023}}</ref> however, she later said that she opposed giving foreign aid to any country without first addressing domestic issues and implementing limits on how much aid could be given and for how long.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pagnucco |first1=Adam |title=CD6 Questionnaire: America's Top Foreign Policy Challenge |url=https://montgomeryperspective.com/2024/04/25/cd6-questionnaire-americas-top-foreign-policy-challenge/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=Montgomery Perspective |date=April 25, 2024}}</ref> Thiam also opposed calls for a ceasefire in the war, saying that it would allow Hamas to retreat and restrategize for another, deadlier attack on Israel.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pagnucco |first1=Adam |title=CD6 Questionnaire: Unconditional Ceasefire in Gaza |url=https://montgomeryperspective.com/2024/04/29/cd6-questionnaire-unconditional-ceasefire-in-gaza/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=Montgomery Perspective |date=April 29, 2024}}</ref>
==Personal life== Thiam is married to her husband, Mam Malick Thiam, who migrated to the United States from Guinea in 2000 and unsuccessfully ran for Washington County Treasurer in 2022.<ref name="LegalWoes">{{cite news |last1=McMillion |first1=Dave |title=Washington County treasurer candidate's legal woes extended to 2010 |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/politics/county/2022/07/18/washington-county-maryland-treasurer-candidate-faced-legal-woes-over-loan-thiam-breeding/65374679007/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=July 18, 2022}}</ref> Thiam moved to Germantown, Maryland in 1995. Together, they moved to Hagerstown in October 2006,<ref name="Metro">{{cite news |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Alexis |title=Legislators discuss medical marijuana caregiver laws, transportation, speed cameras with residents |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2019/11/07/legislators-discuss-medical-marijuana-caregiver-laws-transportation-speed-cameras-with-residents/44372065/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=November 7, 2019}}</ref> and have a daughter.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hagerstown student attends STEM camp |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/education/2016/09/12/hagerstown-student-attends-stem-camp/45651465/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=September 11, 2016}}</ref>
In July 2022, Thiam and her daughter were involved in a car crash in Hagerstown. Both were transported to Meritus Medical Center with minor injuries, and were released later that day.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Michael D. |title=Del. Brenda Thiam involved in car crash Sunday afternoon |url=https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/story/news/local/2022/07/12/washington-county-maryland-delegate-brenda-thiam-involved-car-crash-sunday-afternoon/65370924007/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |work=The Herald-Mail |date=July 12, 2022}}</ref>
==Electoral history== {{Election box begin no party no change | title = Hagerstown City Council primary election, 2020<ref>{{cite web | title = Official 2020 Presidential Primary Election results for Washington County | work = Maryland State Board of Elections | url = https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/results/primary/gen_results_2020_3_by_county_22-1.html }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Kristin B. Aleshire |votes = 3,762 |percentage = 13.2 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Shelley McIntire |votes = 3,052 |percentage = 10.7 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Bob Bruchey |votes = 2,517 |percentage = 8.8 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Tiara Burnett |votes = 2,513 |percentage = 8.8 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Penny May Nigh |votes = 2,451 |percentage = 8.6 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Brenda J. Thiam |votes = 2,420 |percentage = 8.5 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Peter E. Perini, Sr |votes = 2,021 |percentage = 7.1 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Austin Heffernan |votes = 1,990 |percentage = 7.0 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Tekesha Martinez |votes = 1,972 |percentage = 6.9 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Brooke Grossman |votes = 1,907 |percentage = 6.7 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change |candidate = Chip Snyder |votes = 1,825 |percentage = 6.4 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change |candidate = Matthew Schindler |votes = 1,586 |percentage = 5.5 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change |candidate = Travis Aaron Sites |votes = 585 |percentage = 2.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no party no change | title = Hagerstown City Council election, 2020<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2020 Presidential General Election results for Washington County |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2020/results/general/gen_results_p2020_4_by_county_220.html |website=elections.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=November 12, 2022 |date=December 4, 2020}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Tiara Burnett |votes = 6,840 |percentage = 13.6 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Kristin B. Aleshire |votes = 6,178 |percentage = 12.5 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Tekesha A. Martinez |votes = 5,601 |percentage = 11.3 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Shelley McIntire |votes = 5,380 |percentage = 10.8 }} {{Election box winning candidate no party no change |candidate = Bob Bruchey |votes = 4,770 |percentage = 9.6 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change |candidate = Peter E. Perini, Sr. |votes = 4,717 |percentage = 9.5 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change |candidate = Brooke Grossman |votes = 4,293 |percentage = 8.7 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change |candidate = Penny May Nigh |votes = 4,024 |percentage = 8.1 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change |candidate = Austin Heffernan |votes = 3,817 |percentage = 7.7 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change |candidate = Brenda J. Thiam ''(withdrawn)'' |votes = 3,772 |percentage = 7.6 }} {{Election box write-in no party no change |votes = 202 |percentage = 0.4 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change |title=Maryland House of Delegates District 2B Republican primary election, 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election Results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/primary_results/gen_results_2022_7_5.html |website=msa.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=June 16, 2022}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Brenda J. Thiam (incumbent) |votes = 916 |percentage = 54.2 }}{{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Thomas Stolz |votes = 773 |percentage = 45.8 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change |title=Maryland House of Delegates District 2B election, 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results for House of Delegates |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/general_results/gen_results_2022_7_5.html |website=msa.maryland.gov |publisher=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=November 29, 2022}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Democratic Party |candidate = Brooke Grossman |votes = 5,001 |percentage = 54.2 }}{{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Maryland Republican Party |candidate = Brenda J. Thiam (incumbent) |votes = 4,222 |percentage = 45.7 }}{{Election box write-in with party link no change |votes = 12 |percentage = 0.1 }}{{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change|title=Maryland's 6th congressional district Republican primary results, 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Unofficial 2024 Presidential Primary Election Results for Representative in Congress |url=https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2024/Primary_Results/gen_results_2024_3_6.html |work=Maryland State Board of Elections |access-date=June 1, 2024 |date=May 31, 2024}}</ref>}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=Neil Parrott|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=22,604|percentage=45.9}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Dan Cox|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=14,797|percentage=30.1}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Mariela Roca|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=6,071|percentage=12.3}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Tom Royals|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=2,060|percentage=4.2}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Chris Hyser|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=1,625|percentage=3.3}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Brenda Thiam|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=1,607|percentage=3.3}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Todd Puglisi ''(withdrawn)''|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=446|percentage=0.9}} {{Election box end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{cite web |title=Delegate Brenda J. Thiam |url=https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/Details/thiam01 |publisher=Maryland General Assembly |access-date=June 16, 2023}} * {{commons category-inline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thiam, Brenda J.}} Category:1969 births Category:20th-century African-American women Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:21st-century African-American women politicians Category:21st-century African-American politicians Category:African-American state legislators in Maryland Category:Capella University alumni Category:Black conservatism in the United States Category:Living people Category:Maryland Democrats Category:North Carolina Central University alumni Category:Pennsylvania State University alumni Category:People from Raeford, North Carolina Category:Politicians from Hagerstown, Maryland Category:Republican Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates Category:University of Maryland, College Park alumni Category:Women state legislators in Maryland Category:21st-century members of the Maryland General Assembly Category:Candidates in the 2024 United States House of Representatives elections